New Books in Philosophy Mona Simion, "Shifty Speech and Independent Thought: Epistemic Normativity in Context" (Oxford UP, 2021)
Jun 10, 2021
Mona Simion, a lecturer in philosophy at the University of Glasgow and author of "Shifty Speech and Independent Thought," delves into the fascinating intersection of epistemology and the philosophy of language. She explores how knowledge claims shift with practical stakes and the tension between epistemic and non-epistemic norms. Simion analyzes confidence in assertions, particularly in high-stakes situations, and emphasizes the unique treatment of moral assertions. Her insights challenge traditional views on evidence and decision-making, offering a fresh perspective on knowledge and assertions.
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Accidental Epistemologist
- Simion's first philosophy presentation was on epistemology because it was the only topic left.
- This experience led her to specialize in epistemology, particularly Fred Dretske's work.
From Journalism to Philosophy
- Mona Simion was a journalist before becoming a philosopher.
- Her interest in speech act normativity stems from her journalism background.
The Shiftiness Dilemma
- Knowledge doesn't depend on how much one cares, but assertion propriety does vary with stakes.
- This creates the shiftiness dilemma, where knowledge and assertion norms appear to conflict.